tear.QUOTE (trixie @ Nov 16 2007, 12:49 PM) 
Mariska's Blog was updated 11/14/07. Guest Blogger is Jenny Sweeny, a designer. Jenny and Mariska created the "XO, and M" t-shirts and collaborated on several stationery projects.
Mariska’s Blog 11/14/07
Guest Blog: Jenny Sweeney
Mariska invited me to write a guest blog and I couldn’t be more excited. Ahhh… a chance to express myself in a new way. How fun! Sometimes I get so bogged down by the never ending seriousness and stresses of everyday life. All I want to do is curl into a little ball and snuggle in my warm bed, read books, eat ice cream and drink tea. I forget the beautiful and silly things that make life so magical. I remember purposely making a promise to myself as a kid… “When I get older, I will never take life too seriously.” Oh my, how we seem to forget so quickly…
That’s one of the many reasons I am happy to be friends with Mariska. She is a creative breath fresh air, warm, spiritual and committed to adding a little extra light to the world - whether it’s giving back through The Joyful Heart Foundation, giving back to our communities, taking care of the environment, or just sharing herself with us in our everyday lives.
Now, you may be asking, “how do you know Mariska?” For the past year, we’ve collaborated on several stationery projects through my company, Jenny Sweeney Designs. Since then, we’ve joined forces to create the new, “XO, M” t-shirts, which debuted last month. The “XO, M” t-shirts feature great inspirational words and serve as a great daily reminder to stay true to you and to remember to have fun while doing it. It’s really hard to pick a favorite as each word effects people differently. All of the words “Shine,” “Blessed,” “Believe,” “Fly” and “Love” were chosen because of their ability to encourage and inspire.
As a stationery designer, I am so grateful for the opportunity to express my love for paper, illustration and silliness. It’s so fun to create cards that speak to people. Whether it’s celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or holiday, it’s such a blessing to be a part of people’s lives! I’m often asked why my greeting cards are blank on the inside. The reason they are blank is because handwritten cards are truly a lost art form. There’s something so special about a handwritten note. I love a card filled with heartfelt sentiments, doodles or a big hand drawn smiley face.
My next big project, the launch of our Spring 2008 stationery and greeting card collection, is themed “An Enchanted Childhood.” The cards and designs are all inspired from the innocence of that time — my magical childhood… catching butterflies, silly dance routines, endless hours of doodling on notepads, roller skating and first loves. No matter how many years pass, I never want to forget the way that time felt. I try to keep myself surrounded with things that keep me from getting too serious… razzles, 1973 Cadillac convertible, nutty people, hats with pom-poms and lots of butter cookies.
As another year passes us by, it makes me realize just how wonderful life can be if you stop and reflect on the things that make you smile. This year, I encourage you to look at life through rose colored glasses. Love openly. Forgive gracefully. Laugh loudly. Wish often. And above all, inspire others to do the same. With that being said, my new friends, sharing some sweet sentiments in a hand written card isn’t such a bad idea either!
Many Blessings,
Jenny
www.jennysweeneydesigns.com
posted by Mariska.com 9:17pm
If you order $25 of Jenny's merchandise online you will receive 2 of Mariska's favorite Jenny Sweeney Design cards. Offer expires 12/15/07.
http://www.jennysweeneydesigns.com/js/mariska.aspx
Mariska’s Blog 11/14/07
Guest Blog: Jenny Sweeney
Mariska invited me to write a guest blog and I couldn’t be more excited. Ahhh… a chance to express myself in a new way. How fun! Sometimes I get so bogged down by the never ending seriousness and stresses of everyday life. All I want to do is curl into a little ball and snuggle in my warm bed, read books, eat ice cream and drink tea. I forget the beautiful and silly things that make life so magical. I remember purposely making a promise to myself as a kid… “When I get older, I will never take life too seriously.” Oh my, how we seem to forget so quickly…
That’s one of the many reasons I am happy to be friends with Mariska. She is a creative breath fresh air, warm, spiritual and committed to adding a little extra light to the world - whether it’s giving back through The Joyful Heart Foundation, giving back to our communities, taking care of the environment, or just sharing herself with us in our everyday lives.
Now, you may be asking, “how do you know Mariska?” For the past year, we’ve collaborated on several stationery projects through my company, Jenny Sweeney Designs. Since then, we’ve joined forces to create the new, “XO, M” t-shirts, which debuted last month. The “XO, M” t-shirts feature great inspirational words and serve as a great daily reminder to stay true to you and to remember to have fun while doing it. It’s really hard to pick a favorite as each word effects people differently. All of the words “Shine,” “Blessed,” “Believe,” “Fly” and “Love” were chosen because of their ability to encourage and inspire.
As a stationery designer, I am so grateful for the opportunity to express my love for paper, illustration and silliness. It’s so fun to create cards that speak to people. Whether it’s celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or holiday, it’s such a blessing to be a part of people’s lives! I’m often asked why my greeting cards are blank on the inside. The reason they are blank is because handwritten cards are truly a lost art form. There’s something so special about a handwritten note. I love a card filled with heartfelt sentiments, doodles or a big hand drawn smiley face.
My next big project, the launch of our Spring 2008 stationery and greeting card collection, is themed “An Enchanted Childhood.” The cards and designs are all inspired from the innocence of that time — my magical childhood… catching butterflies, silly dance routines, endless hours of doodling on notepads, roller skating and first loves. No matter how many years pass, I never want to forget the way that time felt. I try to keep myself surrounded with things that keep me from getting too serious… razzles, 1973 Cadillac convertible, nutty people, hats with pom-poms and lots of butter cookies.
As another year passes us by, it makes me realize just how wonderful life can be if you stop and reflect on the things that make you smile. This year, I encourage you to look at life through rose colored glasses. Love openly. Forgive gracefully. Laugh loudly. Wish often. And above all, inspire others to do the same. With that being said, my new friends, sharing some sweet sentiments in a hand written card isn’t such a bad idea either!
Many Blessings,
Jenny
www.jennysweeneydesigns.com
posted by Mariska.com 9:17pm
If you order $25 of Jenny's merchandise online you will receive 2 of Mariska's favorite Jenny Sweeney Design cards. Offer expires 12/15/07.
http://www.jennysweeneydesigns.com/js/mariska.aspx
I couldn't stop laughing. The blond balloon person was Elliot and Mariska was the brown haired balloon. So funny!
